Baihuaeri Waorani Territory · Yasuní · Ecuadorian Amazon
Bameno — Waorani Territory
Territorial defense, community monitoring and visual storytelling
TAF-Approved Funding Opportunity
670
Tree species in 1 studied hectare
596+
Bird species documented
2.7M ha
Yasuní Biosphere Reserve
Yasuní biodiversity context — ancestral Waorani territory. Sources: Smithsonian ForestGEO; WCS (2024); WCS.
01 · The opportunity
Territorial defense, community monitoring and visual storytelling
Funding would strengthen Bameno's ongoing, community-led defense of its ancestral territory in Yasuní. The initiative supports territorial governance, monitoring and visual storytelling, building on Waorani knowledge and existing capacities. Community priorities and decisions would guide implementation.
02 · Local leadership & need
Who leads, and why it matters
Bameno combines territorial leadership, forest and river knowledge, community presence and visual communication. Oil infrastructure, roads, contamination and other pressures require continuous monitoring and response. Bameno would designate the implementing body and retain local authority.
03 · Funding
What the initial tranche would support
Possible initial catalytic tranche
USD 90,000
Within a proposed USD 300,000 / 12-month phase.
Three-year indicative framework: USD 850,000.
Indicative funding framework; scope and allocation to be agreed with Bameno.
- Community decisions, safety and data protocols.
- Immediate territorial operations, river logistics, communications and essential equipment.
- Threat documentation and monitoring.
- Initial legal and audiovisual response capacity.
04 · Expected results
Proposed first-year results
Community-agreed work plan and safeguards; resourced monitoring and river patrols; an initial alert and response system; authorised mapping; legal capacity; community-led visual storytelling; and youth training.
These are goals, not results already achieved.
05 · Deployment & safeguards
Deployment & safeguards
Milestones and allocation agreed with Bameno. Community control of data, maps and narratives. Strict no-contact safeguards protect peoples in voluntary isolation; sensitive locations are not disclosed.
06 · TAF's role
What TAF coordinates
TAF supports structuring, proportionate assessment, funding coordination, implementation accompaniment, evidence and reporting. TAF's Coordination & Accountability Fee is separate from Project Capital. Local leadership and decisions remain with Bameno.
TAF-Approved Funding Opportunity
Community-validated and authorised for presentation to prospective funders within the agreed scope.